Minneapolis – The Bridge for Youth, a Minneapolis-based non-profit serving youth in crisis, is pleased to announce receipt of a 2-year grant totaling $120,000 from The Arise Project.

The Arise Project, a philanthropic initiative of Greater Twin Cities United Way, brings together LGBT professionals and allies to ignite action in the rainbow community. The group’s United Way contributions are earmarked to improve the lives of homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth.

A newly formed position at The Bridge for youth, LGBTQ Outreach Specialist, will be funded by the Arise Project. This will be one of four outreach specialties The Bridge will provide to our targeted youth. Other specialists will focus on and include African American, systems involved and sexually exploited youth.

The Bridge will continue to provide n a private room for transgender youth in the agency’s 24-hour Emergency Shelter and in its longer term housing program, Transitions. Funds support “So What if I Am?”, the agency’s LGBT teen support group, the longest, continuous running support group of its kind in the Twin Cities. Hosted at The Bridge’s Minneapolis facility, the group draws youth from as far away as Stillwater. Funds also support the newly created PACE (Parent and Caregiver Empowerment) support group for parents of LGBTQ youth. This new parent support group is an outgrowth of work funded by Arise in 2014-2105 including our parent forum held in fall of 2014.

“With support from the Arise Project, we are able to provide needed support for our LGTBQ homeless youth and their families. We value and appreciate our relationship with them,” said Janet Hallaway, Director of Development at The Bridge for Youth.

With 400-SAFE, The Bridge’s new texting line being launched this fall, funding from ARISE will help support targeted campaign reaching youth and special populations including LBGTQ identified youth. Goal is to build awareness of 24 hour service for youth, encourage youth to enter text number in their contacts in their mobile phones, share with friends. 400-SAFE will be a gateway for youth to Services at the Bridge.

LGBT youth are disproportionately represented in the homeless community. While 10% of the general youth population identify as LGBT, 20-40% of homeless youth identify as LGBT. Family and community rejection continue to be a major factor in youth homelessness. Compared to their heterosexual peers, LGBT youth are at a greater risk for sexual abuse and have a significantly higher rate of suicide.

Founded in 1970, The Bridge for Youth provides safe shelter and support for runaway, homeless and abandoned youth. Nearly 1,000 youth access services at The Bridge with 22 percent identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning…

Services include a 24-hour crisis hotline for youth and families, Emergency and extended-stay shelter for youth ages 10-17, walk-in or by-appointment counseling for youth and families, and a drop-in Tuesday teen health clinic. All services are free and confidential.